Confusion over Kohli’s participation in county fixture against Yorkshire. Find out how

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BCCI names skipper for Ireland T20s despite county commitments. Image Source: twitter

XtraTime Web Desk: The BCCI’s national selection committee has named India skipper Virat Kohli for the two match T20I series against Ireland which has created a lot of confusion among fans as the dates are clashing with Virat’s county stints with Surrey.

As per sources there were rumours in the board that a few people are unhappy with Virat skipping the one-off Test match against Afghanistan. This is the reason why they want to cut short Virat’s county stint by picking him for the T20I matches against Ireland.

The Men in Blue are set to play two T20’s against Ireland in Dublin’s Malahide on June 27 and 29 while Kohli is scheduled to play his last county match for Surrey against Yorkshire at Scarborough from June 25 to 28.

According to an announcement made by the county: “India captain Virat Kohli will play for Surrey during the entire month of June.”

Despite the county matches schedule being announced much in advance before the team selection, it was surprising to find Kohli’s name for the two-match series against Ireland.

When chairman of selectors MSK Prasad was contacted by PTI for a clarification whether it was a clerical error, he said: “Kindly talk to the BCCI secretary on this issue.”

When BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary was asked, he replied.

“Be rest assured, everything is fine,” was all he said.

However, there has been no clarity as to what will be Kohli’s choice as he gets to play only three four-day matches during his stint.

“If the selectors have picked him for the Ireland T20s despite the county dates being available, it means that he will not play the game against Yorkshire. This cannot be a unilateral decision as the county contracts has been inked after much deliberation. Playing against Ireland means that he will get only two county games.

“It will be very interesting to know why has there been a change in Virat’s schedule if England Tests are paramount,” wondered a senior BCCI official when apprised of the situation.

There is another question that whether the English County side Surrey would agree to the new agreement as the contract was signed after a lot of deliberations regarding Kohli’s image rights.

SURREY fixtures in June 2018

June 1 versus KENT Royal London One Day Cup, Beckenham, Worsley Bridge Road

June 3 versus MIDDLESEX Royal London One Day Cup, Lord’s

June 6 versus GLAMORGAN Royal London One Day Cup, The Kia Oval

June 9-12 versus HAMPSHIRE Specsavers CC, The Ageas Bowl

June 20-23 versus SOMERSET Specsavers CC, Guildford CC

June 25-28 versus YORKSHIRE Specsavers CC, Scarborough